“And please don’t think I’m not grateful for your mom helping, because shit, I am.” I run my hand through my hair and settle on the back of my neck, gripping it tightly, trying to ease the tension. “It’s just getting to be a lot. Maybe I need to look into something closer. But the thought of shipping him off to a stranger makes me anxious as hell.”
Finn steeples his fingers together, resting them on his lips. I can feel his thoughts turning from here. “Okay, hear me out. I have an idea.”
I push off my elbows and sit up, matching his position. “This should be good,” I say sarcastically.
“Kate is home. Why not just ask her to watch Andy? I’m sure she would say yes.”
I hold my hand up. “Look, I’m gonna stop you right there. I know she’s your sister-in-law and all, but I think I wouldn’t trust her with a pet rock, let alone my child.”
“Actually, she’s great with kids. You should see her with Kyler’s niece, Emme. She has a soft spot for her. Not to mention she always stops by Lo’s class, and her students always seem to love her.”
I remain silent. Just because she’s good with other people’s kids doesn’t mean I’m willing to trust her with mine.
“Just keep that in the back of your mind in case of an emergency, ’kay? We’re all here to help. I brought you here to help, but if you run yourself into the ground, you’re not going to be much help now, are you?”
I sigh, knowing he’s right.
“All right, let me call Kels.”
He presses the speakerphone button on his office phone.
“This is Kelsey,” she answers before it even rings.
“Hey, are you still good to meet me and Jaxon this afternoon?”
“Shit, is it one already?” She panics slightly, and we can hear the shuffling of paperwork on her desk.
I chuckle at how similar these two are.
‘Yep,” he says.
“Okay, I need about twenty minutes to finish these invoices, and then I can meet you guys. That work?”
Finn glances over to me, and I nod.
“Great, see you then.”
The phone call disconnects.
Finn leans back in his chair again. “Why don’t you go over to the coffee shop down the street, grab yourself some caffeine, and then meet back here? Kels should be ready by then.”
Coffee actually sounds amazing right now. “Yeah, I think I’ll do that.” I rise from my chair. “Want anything?”
“Nah, I’m good.” He turns to focus on his computer screen.
I’m just in the doorway when he calls out my name. “Hey, Jax?” I turn to face him, bracing my palm on the doorframe. “Just think about what I said. You know about Kate.”
I shake my head. Yeah, that won’t be happening, but I appease him. “Sure, whatever. I’ll be back. I got my phone on me.”
Fifteen minutes later, I’ve got a large black coffee in hand, and I’m focused on my phone, looking at the photo Denise just sent me of Andy and Liam, their faces covered in what looks to be chocolate. Andy has already been through so much and is finally settled after the move. He loves being at Denise’s and has a blast with little Liam. As great as cutting back the travel time would be if I did even consider the idea of asking Kate, I couldn’t do that to Andy to switch things up when things are going to change soon anyway.
Someone runs directly into me, and I hiss as the hot liquid burns my flesh. Thankfully, my shirt took the brunt of the impact.
“Jesus, maybe you should watch—”
That voice. I look up to find eyes that match the ones I just saw in Finn’s office earlier.
“For fuck’s sake. Did you run into me on purpose?” she barks.
Is she for fucking real? Yeah, I ran into you on purpose because I prefer to wear my coffee versus drinking it.
“You were the one that fucking ran into me,” I snap back.
“Kate, are you—” Lauren approaches and gasps as she takes in the scene. “Oh, Jax.” Lauren looks at my shirt. “Oh my God, are you okay?”
“Sure, ask him if he’s okay, not your fucking blood.”
I roll my eyes at her bitter tone. The barista comes over, bringing a stack of napkins that I use to clean up most of the liquid.
“I’m fine. Maybe your sister should watch where the fuck she’s going.” I pat my shirt, not that it does much good.
My phone buzzes in my hand. I look down to see Finn’s name. He’s probably wondering where I am.
“I gotta go. Lauren, nice to see you again.” I give her a tight-lipped smile, now that the pain is subsiding. I turn to Kate, who is still glaring at me. Her eyes are baring daggers directly at my jugular. Finn is out of his ever-loving mind if he thinks I would ever trust her with my son.
I storm out of the coffee shop and am thankful that the weather is decent. Had it been a chilly day, it would have been an even more miserable walk back to the office. I ignore the stares as I enter the building and step off the elevator on our floor.
Kelsey looks over her shoulder and gasps when I walk back into Finn’s office.